Nonsense Meaning in English

word

US

/ˈnɑnsɛns/

NAHN-sens

UK

/nˈɒnsəns/

NON-suhns

Definition

Words, ideas, or statements that do not make sense or are clearly untrue. It can also refer to silly behavior or something you strongly reject as untrue.

Usage & Nuances

Often uncountable: 'That's nonsense.' Also common as an exclamation to strongly disagree. For silly behavior, use patterns like 'Don't talk nonsense' or 'Stop this nonsense.' Stronger and more dismissive than 'silly'; less formal than 'absurdity'.

• Spanish: disparate - tonterías
• Portuguese (BR): bobagem - absurdo
• Portuguese (PT): disparate - tolice
• Chinese (Simplified): 胡说 - 废话
• Chinese (Traditional): 胡說 - 廢話
• Hindi: बकवास - निरर्थक बात
• Arabic: هراء - كلام فارغ
• Bengali: বাকাবকি - অসত্য কথা - বাজে কথা
• Russian: чепуха - ерунда - бред
• Japanese: ナンセンス - ばかげたこと
• Vietnamese: nhảm nhí - vô lý - chuyện vớ vẩn
• Korean: 허튼소리 - 말도 안 되는 소리
• Turkish: saçmalık - zırva - saçma sapan şey
• Urdu: بکواس - فضول بات
• Indonesian: omong kosong - hal yang tidak masuk akal

Example Sentences

That story is nonsense.

basic

Please stop talking nonsense.

basic

The teacher said my answer was nonsense.

basic

Nonsense, you did a great job.

natural

I can't believe he expects us to accept that nonsense.

natural

Let's cut the nonsense and talk about the real problem.

natural